CINNAMON
Cinnamon is a series of paintings which, like the spice, is mundane yet leaves an experience that invigorates the senses and has a magical quality. Ideas for the paintings came from everyday experiences in a suburban setting yet, a fantastical theme is constructed throughout the series.
This reflects the artist’s own sensitivity and yearning for what is beyond daily life, where she experiences flashes of inspiration through living her life. These may be the unexpected consequences of meditative practices of a state of mind that carries over to everyday experiences. Regardless of origin, these visions are triggered by the world around her and they reshape moments into a fresh perspective. The artist’s work aims to share the knowledge gained from these experiences.
Wen Tong was born in Jinan, China, before immigrating to Canada at the age of 2. She received her HBsc from the University of Toronto in 2021, studying Biotechnology and Computer Science, but also took studio art classes at Sheridan College in both painting and printmaking. Wen is an award-winning contemporary artist that creates cinematic oil paintings in the style of magical realism. She has shown in a number of exhibitions across Ontario and has artwork in multiple private and public collections. Wen works from her studio in Oakville, Ontario.
Artist Website: wentongart.com
Keywords: BIPOC Experience | Youth, Teens and/or Children
#RWMFest #MoreThanRebellion
This year, the exhibition in the Rendezvous With Madness Festival will be presented in-person throughout the festival from October 27 to November 6.
VENUE:
The exhibition is held at Workman Arts Offsite Gallery, Artscape Youngplace, 180 Shaw Street, Unit 302, Toronto.
&
Special feature of work from Cinnamon by Wen Tong will be shown in the Tangled Gallery vitrine space at 401 Richmond St W, Suite 124, Toronto
DATES:
October 27 to November 6, 12 – 6 PM.
EXHIBITION OPENING & ARTISTS TALK
October 29, 1-4 PM, Talk at 2:30 PM
After the opening reception, engage with the artists of kind renderings as they delve into their work and practice.
TOURS
Please join us for a guided tour on Thursday, November 3 at 5 PM
ACCESSIBILITY
If in-person access is a barrier, please contact Raine Laurent-Eugene at raine_lauenteguene@workmanarts.com.
Visit the Accessibility page for further festival information and wayfinding.
ALSO OF INTEREST
Reception at 5 PM
In person screening — Thursday October 27th at 6:30 PM
Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema,
506 Bloor Street West
Available across Canada Oct 27, 6:30 PM – 12 midnight ET only;
available across Ontario, Oct 27, 6:30 PM until November 6
HOW TO SAVE A DEAD FRIEND
Marusya Syroechkovskaya | 2022 | Sweden, Norway, France, Germany | 103 minutes | Russian with English subtitles | Ontario Premiere
OPENING NIGHT FILM
On October 27th enjoy Rendezvous With Madness opening night film How To Save A Dead Friend by Marusya Syroechkovskaya. Filmed over the course of 12 years, this film is a personal cry from the heart and a message from a silenced generation. It is an unbreakable love story existing in a destructible world. Post Film talk featuring the director.
How To Save A Dead Friend, it’s 2005, and Russia is governed by leaders who are keen to uplift their authoritarian dream. Millennial suicides have become omnipresent — a last act of self-will among a generation denied the chance to envision a better future. Marusya, 16, has decided this will be her year to die.
Muzzled by the increasingly autocratic regime of the “Depression Federation,” Marusya decides to join her generation’s suicide statistics by the end of the year. Then, she meets Kimi and an unexpected love story begins between the two millennials caught in the undertow of their oppressive government. Together, Marusya and Kimi film the euphoria, anxiety and despair of their youth, burning the candle at both ends fueled by drugs and music. When Kimi’s addiction threatens to make him fade away forever, Marusya’s camera becomes her last chance to save some part of his fragile soul.
For accessibility How To Save A Dead Friend is also available online via Workman Arts & Cinesend from October 27, 8 PM – 12 AM ET across Canada; October 28 – November 6 in Ontario
Keywords: Suicide | Addiction | Authoritarianism | Youth | Depression
Genre: Documentary
#RWMFEST #MoreThanRebellion
In person screening — Saturday, November 5th at 4 PM
Camh Auditorium
1025 Queen Street West, Toronto
Streaming across Canada October 27th to November 6th
IF YOU ASK ME
Sameena Anis, Mikaela Cordero, Shian Grace, Corinne Langmuir, Gladys Lou, Sanskruti Marathe, Lee Nisar, Esteban Powell, Roberto Santaguida, Agnes Wong | 2022 | Canada | 60 minutes | World Premiere | English
November 5th at Rendezvous With Madness enjoy an in person screening of recent short films by This year’s If You Ask Me cohort.
For the sixth consecutive year, If You Ask Me (IYAM) has supported emerging filmmakers with lived mental health and/or addiction experiences to create new short works. This year’s program features shorts by filmmakers from across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
These new films were developed from August – October 2022 under the guidance of Roberto Santaguida, along with IYAM alumni Angela Feng, Maud Mostly and Vyom Malhotra serving as mentors. Over the course of three months, filmmakers strengthened their film production skills in the company of peers and industry guests. Rendezvous With Madness is excited to support the production and exhibition of these distinctly personal creative works.
Equipment rentals and facilities were generously provided by our community sponsor, Trinity Square Video.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: FILMMAKING NOW
The world has changed substantially since If You Ask Me 2021. This year’s cohort of filmmakers adapted their practices to ever-changing social realities. Join the in-person panel discussion to learn how each artist developed their films.
For accessibility the If You Ask Me shorts program is also available online via Workman Arts & Cinesend from October 27th to November 6th 2022
Keywords: Addiction | Trauma | Mental Health | Youth
Genre: Shorts
#RWMFEST #MoreThanRebellion
Streaming across Canada October 27th to November 6th
MI VACÍO Y YO | MY EMPTINESS AND I | Adrián Silvestre | 2022 | Spain | 98 minutes | Toronto Premiere | French and Spanish with English Subtitles
Rendezvous With Madness is pleased to present the fabulous fiction film Mi Vacío Y Yo / My Emptiness And I directed by Adrián Silvestre available for streaming across Canada from October 27th to November 6th. With the film, there is a prerecorded talk about the film with the d moderated by Anna Daliza to enjoy.
“Raphi, young and naive, enjoys writing love poems and dreams about falling in love. She leaves her native France and moves to Barcelona, where she works in a call centre. She struggles with maintaining relationships with boys and what it means to be diagnosed with gender dysphoria. As a trans woman, Raphi feels the pressure to define and defend herself to anyone who asks but also deals with the social pressures to move forward with irreversible reassignment surgery. Even among her trans support group, Raphi receives mixed messages about needing to love herself exactly as she is … or instead, change her body in order for someone to love her in return. The brutal dating scene is no help as she’s matched with men who see her as more of a sexual novelty than a human being searching for love and connection. Wading through serious doubts and an array of intimate encounters of varying pleasure, Raphi must learn to trust herself and her newfound opportunity of the arts as a means of healing and empowerment. Raw, honest, and thought-provoking, Mi vacío y yo is an intensely intimate journey of self-discovery and acceptance.” —Cleveland International Film Festival
Anna Daliza is an emerging writer, artist and educator, was born in Southwestern Ontario to an Anglo-Canadian father and a Lebanese immigrant mother. She describes her cultural upbringing as a marriage between oil and water.
Screening with
The Spiral | María Silvia Esteve | 2022 | Argentina | Spanish with English subtitles
The Spiral is a dive into a lonely ride, an hypnotic escalation towards childhood, family, and the loneliness of “home”.
Keywords: Dating | Gender Dysphoria | Family | Anxiety | Youth
Genre: Fiction (Feature) Fiction (Short)
#RWMFEST #MoreThanRebellion
Rozalind MacPhail / 2022 / English / Canada / 60 minutes
A special live music and cinema event featuring Newfoundland’s award-winning performer Rozalind MacPhail. DON’T LET ME FALL TOO FAR tells a timeless story of self-discovery experienced by a young woman navigating her way through a vulnerable period in her life.
MacPhail’s live music score features moody vocals, electrifying flute loops and driving electronics reminiscent of Pink Floyd, Mazzy Star and New Order.
Raven Blue’s film HOMELESS tells a timeless story of self-discovery experienced by a young woman navigating her way through a vulnerable period in her life. Haunting, lonely, dreamy and deeply honest. The film adapts the Indigenous tradition of the vision quest and explores themes of attachment, loss and longing. Filmed in Saint John, New Brunswick.
Newfoundland’s award-winning songwriter, looping flutologist and inspirational speaker explores new ways of combining image, inspiration and sound in audio-visual works that speak honestly of people, place and the human experience. A classically trained flutist, MacPhail layers moody vocals, electrifying flute loops, omnichord and driving electronics through her effects pedals and the digital audio workstation, Ableton Live. MacPhail has received multiple honours and awards, including an East Coast Music Award for Electronic Recording of the Year and MusicNL‘s Female Artist of the Year. She has recorded 12 albums, composed music for film and toured internationally over the last two decades.
CREATIVE TEAM
Live Performance by Rozalind MacPhail
Film by Raven Blue
CONTENT WARNINGS
Strobe Lights
Keywords: Anxiety | Depression | Family | Homelessness | Youth
#RWMFest #MoreThanRebellion
ALSO OF INTEREST
Chelsy Althea, Kasia Beloussov, Alissa Dawn, Angela Feng, Béatrice Langlois-Bettez, Vyom Malhotra, Maud Mostly, Maneesa Veerave, Muchen Zhou / 2021 / Canada / 60 mins
For the fifth consecutive year, If You Ask Me (IYAM) has supported emerging filmmakers with mental
health and/or addiction experiences to create new work. This year’s program features nine shorts by
filmmakers from across Canada.
These new films were developed in summer 2021 under the guidance of Helena Morgane and IYAM alumni and mentors Malaika Athar, Hanna Donato, Samyuktha Movva, and Shubhi Sahni. Over three
months, filmmakers have strengthened their knowledge of film in the company of peers and industry
guests. Rendezvous is excited to screen these distinctly personal works created during extraordinary circumstances.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: FILMMAKING NOW
The world has changed substantially since the initial planning of If You Ask Me 2021. This year’s
cohort of filmmakers adapted their practices to ever-changing conditions. Join the Q + A session
to learn how recent events informed the production of their films and hear their predictions on
how this time will shape the future of film.
Keywords: Addiction | Trauma | Youth
ALSO OF INTEREST
**POSTPONED** Mental Health Film Series - Free Live Panel: Talking About Youth Mental Health
With COVID-19 restrictions continuing to keep schools closed in many parts of the country, affecting the ability of young people to access mental health supports, we, along with our partners at Bell Let’s Talk and Hot Docs, have decided to postpone this event in the interest of presenting this discussion in the safest possible manner. Thank you for your understanding.
POSTPONED / Live-Streamed Panel Discussion / FREE
TOPIC: YOUTH
In the lead-up to the annual Bell Let’s Talk Day on January 28, we’re showcasing free docs-and-conversations about mental health and mental illness in partnership with Bell Let’s Talk and Hot Docs.
As part of this free film series, join us on Bell Let’s Talk Day, January 28, for a live panel discussion about youth mental health, a main theme portrayed in Connecting the Dots. Youth mental health is a timely and important topic as today’s youth face unique and unprecedented challenges, including those brought on by the ongoing pandemic. Join a group of special guests and experts for an insightful discussion on the experiences and factors affecting the mental health and the well-being of young people everywhere—and what we can do to respond to this unfolding crisis.
Featured panelists include:
Army Alam, an advisor for Bell Let’s Talk, the Board Director of the Mental Health Commission of Canada and co-founder of the Canadian Peer Support Network
Lindsay Currie, a registered nurse and youth mental health advocate with Jack.org from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Angel Richards, a 19-year-old singer-songwriter from Ajax, ON, Canada who uses her music as a way to escape, heal, and inspire others.
Click here to view the films available for streaming.
CO-PRESENTERS
BROWSE CURRENT EVENTS
No recommended events under this criteriaMental Health Film Series - Connecting the Dots
- Streaming January 4 - 28
D: Noemi Weis / 2020 / RATING: PG / Canada / 91 min / FREE
GENRE: DOCUMENTARY
TOPIC: YOUTH
TYPE: FILM
In the lead-up to the annual Bell Let’s Talk Day on January 28, we’re showcasing free docs-and-conversations about mental health and mental illness in partnership with Bell Let’s Talk and Hot Docs.
Films will be available to stream from January 4-28 and culminate in a live virtual panel discussion with special guests on January 28. Tickets for all films and the panel discussion are free, and can be booked through the Hot Docs Box Office.
The first documentary of its kind, Connecting the Dots takes on the subject of mental health through the voices of young people around the world. From Edmonton and New York to Nigeria and Australia, young people talk openly about their experiences in a way you have never seen or heard before. At a time when youth are facing increased anxiety and depression—on top of unrest surrounding systemic racism, sexual orientation, and gender discrimination—it’s more important than ever to stop and listen. Intimate and heartfelt, the film brings this crisis to the surface, while shedding light on the inspiring ways we can break through barriers and take action.
Followed by a recorded Q&A with award-winning director Noemi Weis.
This film may include content that is triggering for some viewers. It contains depictions of young adults experiencing distress related to mental illness, including talk of self-harm and suicide. It may be particularly difficult for young or sensitive viewers.
Watch the film with someone you trust, watch until the end to take away messages of hope, take time to debrief afterwards, and if you need help, reach out.
There are many things you can do to stay well during these challenging times – like trying to eat and sleep regularly, getting active doing things you like to do, spending time outdoors, paying attention to calm breathing and mindful moments, making connections with your faith or culture, and spending time with people who make you smile.
The following organizations can provide free mental health support 24/7:
Kids Help Phone | Call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT 686868
Wellness Together Canada | Visit ca.portal.gs or text WELLNESS to 686868. Adults can text WELLNESS to 741741
Indigenous Canadians can also reach out to Hope for Wellness at 1-855-242-3310
Black Youth Helpline | Call 416-285-9944, toll-free 1-833-294-8650 (every day 9 am to 10 pm ET)
If you are in crisis, please contact your local crisis center by calling 1-833-456-4566 toll-free (In QC: 1-866-277-3553) or visit www.crisisservicescanada.ca
You can also access Kids Help Phone Resources Around Me to find local resources: https://apps.kidshelpphone.ca/resourcesaroundme/welcome.html
CO-PRESENTERS
BROWSE CURRENT EVENTS
No recommended events under this criteriaTHIS PROJECT IS PART OF THE RE:BUILDING RESILIENCE EXHIBITION.
Creator: Laura Shintani / A/V: Grant Padley
GENRE: INSTALLATION, INTERACTIVE
TOPIC: ACTIVISM, ADDICTION, ANXIETY, BI-POLAR DISORDER(S), BIPOC EXPERIENCE, COMMUNITY, DEPRESSION, DISABILITY, FAMILY, HARM REDUCTION, LGBTQ2S+, PSYCHIATRY, SCHIZOPHRENIA, SEXUAL ASSAULT, SEXUAL VIOLENCE, SUICIDE, TRAUMA, YOUTH
Neuroelastic is a self-activated artistic performance. Taking a cue from the well-known concept of Dr. Norman Doidge’s neuroplasticity, it is inspiring that the mind can adapt in new ways. The artist imagined an idea; by wrapping oneself in streams of coloured synaptic “bandages” this symbolic act can allow thoughts and feelings to show on the outside. Using photography as documentation, a capture of the moment reveals what is hidden. This artwork of self-permission reflects on not only the unseen being seen, but that it can be changed. This collection of images I hope can read as a zany family album of the mind. Neuroelastic is an interior selfie and an invitation to an altered way of being.
Laura Shintani is a Toronto-based multimedia artist who creates work in order to provoke questions in artistic forms. Shintani represents a hybrid of work, art making, study and teaching. She is interested in seeing people embrace the cycle of creativity: playing, problem solving and reflecting. Raised in small-town Ontario, Shintani later studied fashion design at Ryerson University and received a degree from the University of Toronto. After personal discovery she made art a vocation and earned a Master of Fine Art from the University of Windsor. Shintani’s most significant exhibition was at the Royal Ontario Museum in 2019.
This artist has interactive materials which will be provided in the RWM swag bag in order to interact with their virtual content. All ticket holders will be invited to receive RWM swag bags available for free curbside pickup during festival hours.
Images of the Neuroelastic installation in Re:Building Resilience:
Photos by Henry Chang
Please Note: There is one virtual ticket available for the entire Re:Building Resilience Exhibition. Whether you’d like to see one project or all of them, you only need to book one ticket to access everything. The exhibition runs October 15-25, and all ticket purchasers will be sent a link to view the virtual content. Any ticket bought prior to October 15 will receive a follow up email on the 15th with the link.
ACCESSIBILITY
Self-Care Kits are available for free curbside pickup to ticket holders. Kits can be picked up from 651 Dufferin Street between the hours of 10AM-9PM, October 15-25. If pickup is not an accessible option for you, contact justina_zatzman@workmanarts.com for accommodation.
ALSO OF INTEREST
- Available to stream online: Fri, Oct 16, 5:00pm to Sun, Oct 25, 5:00pm
- Virtual panel: Sun, Oct 18, 5:00pm
Streaming of this film and virtual panel is available to viewers worldwide.
Malaika Athar, Hanna Donato, Manvinder Gill, Kitoko Kasiama, Jae Lew, Claudia Liz, Samyuktha Movva, Shubhi Sahni / Films: 90 min / Panel Discussion: 60 min
GENRE: SHORT FILM
TOPIC: YOUTH
TYPE: FILM
For the fourth consecutive year, If You Ask Me (IYAM) has supported emerging filmmakers with mental health and/or addiction experiences to create new work. This year’s program features eight shorts by filmmakers across Canada: Malaika Athar, Hanna Donato, Manvinder Gill, Kitoko Kasiama, Jae Lew, Claudia Liz, Samyuktha Movva and Shubhi Sahni.
These new films were developed in summer 2020 under the guidance of Gillian Muller and IYAM alumni and mentors Saba Akhtar, Erum Khan and James Knott. Over three months, filmmakers deepened their knowledge of film in the company of peers and industry guests. Rendezvous is excited to screen these distinctly personal works created during an unprecedented time.
Rendezvous would like to thank the following workshop guests: Linsey Stewart, Dane Clark, Kelly Fyffe Marshall, Carine Zahner, Ashley Iris Gill, Marcus Armstrong and Gagan Singh.
This program was made in partnership with BIPOC TV and Film and Trinity Square Video.
Plus a special screening of youth film competition winner from 2020 Singapore Mental Health Film Festival:
When Mirrors Had Meaning
Yuga J. Vardhan | 2020 | Singapore | Hindi and English with English subtitles | 10 minutes
When Mirrors Had Meaning presents the searing experience of 70-year-old Krishnan, as he sets off on a journey in search of a distant memory, leaving behind a letter to his family.
Courtesy Singapore Mental Health Film Festival (smhff.com)
ACCESSIBILITY
ASL Interpreted, Open Captions, Active Listener
An Active Listener will be available Sun, Oct 18 from 5-7pm to support this program.
Your active listener for this program is Kat.
You can connect with Kat by phone (talk or text) at (647) 474-2338 or by email at katrissing@gmail.com.
CO-PRESENTED WITH
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Filmmaking Now
The world changed dramatically between the initial planning of IYAM 2020 and now. This year’s cohort of filmmakers pivoted their practices to adapt to ever-changing conditions. Join the Q + A session to learn how recent events informed the production of their films and hear their predictions on how this time will shape the future of film.